Brigham Young's Tyler Haws (3) drives under pressure from Texas' Damarcus Croake (5) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Monday, Nov. 25, 2013, in Kansas City, Mo. Brigham Young won the game 86-82.

Charlie Riedel, AP

Summary

Tyler Haws scored 21 of his game-high 25 points in the final 11 minutes to help lift the Cougars to a dramatic 86-82 victory over Texas.

The junior guard scored 21 of his game-high 25 points in the final 11 minutes — including a clutch, 18-foot running jumper near the baseline with 43 seconds remaining as the shot-clock buzzer sounded — to help lift the Cougars to a dramatic 86-82 victory over the Longhorns at Sprint Center.

Freshman Eric Mika had the ball in the corner with the shot clock about to expire.

“He was acting like he wanted me to take a handoff,” Haws said. “I’ve shot that shot in H-O-R-S-E and after practice — the runner. I was happy it went in.”

With the win, BYU (5-1) advances to Tuesday’s championship game (8 p.m. MST, ESPN2) of the College Basketball Experience Hall of Fame Classic against No. 12 Wichita State, which whipped DePaul in the nightcap, 90-72.

“We didn’t overlook Texas,” Mika said. “But I’m sure I speak for the whole team when I say Wichita State was definitely on the back of our minds while we were getting ready for this tournament because they’re ranked and it’s a big opportunity on a big stage for us. Hopefully we can capitalize on that.”

While the Cougars knocked down 10 of 12 3-point attempts against Texas, little else was going well for BYU early in the second half as the Longhorns (4-1) used their length and athleticism to their advantage.

“That’s probably the most athletic team that I’ve seen since Marquette,” said guard Matt Carlino, who scored 20 points, hitting 5-of-7 3-pointers (four in the first half) and dished out six assists. “They were even more so than Marquette when we played them in the (NCAA) tournament a few years ago.”

“They rebounded better than any team I’ve ever seen,” said Mika, who finished with 15 points and seven rebounds. “They were freaks on the glass. It’s good experience.”

With just less than nine minutes remaining, the Cougars trailed 70-65. That’s when Haws, who scored just two points in the first half, asserted himself. Haws drained back-to-back 3-pointers that gave BYU the lead, 71-70, with just less than eight minutes remaining.

“I wouldn’t say he struggled in the first half, but he wasn’t playing up to how we know he can play,” Mika said of Haws. “He made those two 3s in a row, and I knew from then on he was going to take it from there.”

“I was trying to be aggressive the whole game,” Haws said. “I felt like I got good shots in the first half; they just weren’t falling. These games, it’s a big challenge to stay in it mentally when your shot’s not falling. I was so proud of the guys. We just kept battling and guys made plays to keep us in the game. Then I was able to make a few shots down the stretch.”

“He kept going. He didn’t slow down,” Carlino said. “I think that’s Ty’s biggest strength. Even if he misses a few shots, he keeps coming at you. That’s what he did.”

Haws' biggest shot of the game came with about one minute remaining as he hit an 18-foot jumper.

“We had a play called,” Haws said. “We ran the play and Texas defended it really well.”

Just when it looked like the shot clock would run out on Mika, with Texas big man Cameron Ridley trapping him, Haws appeared, knowing time was running out. He took a pass from Mika and let the ball fly toward the hoop to give the Cougars an 83-80 advantage.

Popular Comments

I'd rather watch the BYU Men's Basketball team than any pro team,
including the Jazz...the fluidity of the game, the passion they play with is
unmatched in a regular season NBA game...hats off to the tremendous effort, the
tenacity of the
More..

10:49 p.m. Nov. 25, 2013

Top comment

idablu

Idaho Falls, ID

Now, that's what I'm talking about. Shooting 82% for the arc! I am
surprised this game was that close. Carlino played the game we all knew he was
capable of. He didn't press, took good shots, and played very unselfishly.
He was great!
More..

8:29 p.m. Nov. 25, 2013

Top comment

morganh

Orem, Utah

Cougars beat Texas 86-82. "Mr.Clutch" Tyler Haws knocks down the free
throws to seal the win. Next up winner of Wichita St/Depaul. Great quality win
Cougs!!

Jeff Call has been a sportswriter for the Deseret News since 1997. He is the BYU beat writer and has been covering Cougar sports since 1993, when he served as sports editor at the Daily Universe. Call has written several more ..